BACKGROUND
1. Field of disclosure
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a biometric information detecting device and a
display apparatus having the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates
to a biometric information detecting device capable of accurately recognizing biometric
information and a display apparatus capable of recognizing a biometric information.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] In recent years, display apparatuses that can sense biometric information of users
have been widely used. Various methods of recognizing the biometric information can
be used. A capacitance method recognizes the biometric information based on a variation
in capacitance of a capacitor formed between electrodes, an optical method recognizes
the biometric information using an optical sensor, and an ultrasonic method recognizes
the biometric information using a piezoelectric material.
[0003] Sometimes, however, the biometric information is sensed incorrectly due to external
environment conditions. Particularly, in the case of a fingerprint sensor, a ridge
and a valley of a fingerprint are not accurately recognized depending on a contact
state and condition of the finger, for example in the case of a too dry or too wet
finger.
SUMMARY
[0004] It is the object of the present invention to improve the detection of biometric information,
for example in an electronic device like a display apparatus, a smartphone or other
electronic device that saves or provides access to personal or confidential information.
[0005] The present disclosure provides a biometric information detecting device with improved
biometric information recognition rate.
[0006] The present disclosure provides a display apparatus having the biometric information
detecting device with the improved biometric information recognition rate.
[0007] Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a biometric information detecting device
including a measurer (or measuring device respectively sensor) measuring biometric
information of a user as an electrical signal, a determiner (or determining device
respectively processing device) connected to the measurer to receive the electrical
signal, processing the electrical signal according to a first reference condition
to output a first result signal, and processing the electrical signal according to
a second reference condition to output a second result signal, a controller controlling
the determiner such that the determiner is operated in the first reference condition
or the second reference condition, and a processor processing the first and second
result signals to obtain the biometric information of the user.
[0008] The first result signal may be different from the second result signal.
[0009] When the controller controls the determiner to be operated in the first reference
condition or the second reference condition, the sensitivity of the determiner may
be changed dependent on the reference condition, such that in the first reference
condition the output of the measurer is assigned or related to a comparatively larger
measurement data interval and in the second reference condition the measurement data
is assigned or related to a comparatively smaller measurement data interval. This
can be for example reached by amending the gain of an amplifier within the determiner
and/or by amending the input signal range and/or output signal range of an analog-to-digital
converter within the determiner.
[0010] The determiner preferably includes an analog-to-digital converter that converts the
electrical signal in an analog form to a digital signal based on a predetermined reference
range.
[0011] The analog-to-digital converter may convert the electrical signal to the first result
signal in a digital form based on a first predetermined reference range when the analog-to-digital
converter is operated in the first reference condition and may convert the electrical
signal to the second result signal in a digital form based on a second predetermined
reference range when the analog-to-digital converter is operated in the second reference
condition.
[0012] The controller preferably outputs a first reference signal to the analog-to-digital
converter to set the reference range of the analog-to-digital converter to the first
reference range and preferably outputs a second reference signal to the analog-to-digital
converter to set the reference range of the analog-to-digital converter to the second
reference range.
[0013] The first reference range may be defined between a first reference voltage and a
second reference voltage, the second reference range may be defined between a third
reference voltage and a fourth reference voltage, and the second reference range may
be included in the first reference range.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the analog-to-digital converter includes a first
analog-to-digital converter operated in the first reference condition to convert the
electrical signal to the first result signal in the digital form according to a first
predetermined reference range, and a second analog-to-digital converter operated in
the second reference condition to convert the electrical signal to the second result
signal in the digital form according to a second predetermined reference range.
[0015] The controller preferably outputs a first reference signal to the first analog-to-digital
converter to allow the first analog-to-digital converter to be operated in the first
reference condition and outputs a second reference signal to the second analog-to-digital
converter to allow the second analog-to-digital converter to be operated in the second
reference condition.
[0016] The determiner further may include an amplifier that amplifies the electrical signal
output from the measurer to output an amplified signal.
[0017] The amplifier preferably amplifies the electrical signal according to a first predetermined
gain when operated in the first reference condition to output a first amplified signal
and amplifies the electrical signal according to a second predetermined gain when
operated in the second reference condition to output a second amplified signal.
[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the controller applies a control signal to the
amplifier such that the amplifier amplifies the electrical signal based on different
gains from each other according to the first and second reference conditions.
[0019] The second predetermined gain may be greater than the first predetermined gain.
[0020] The analog-to-digital converter especially converts the first amplified signal to
the first result signal in a digital form according to the reference range on the
first reference condition and especially converts the second amplified signal to the
second result signal in a digital form according to the reference range on the second
reference condition.
[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the processor includes a synthesizer synthesizing
the first result signal and the second result signal to output a final result signal
and a processor processing the final result signal to obtain the biometric information
of the user.
[0022] The measurer may include a sensing device that receives a light reflected by the
user's finger and outputs fingerprint information of the user as the electrical signal
based on an amount of the reflected light.
[0023] Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a display apparatus including a display
panel displaying an image and a biometric information detecting device recognizing
biometric information of a user that is input through the display panel.
[0024] The biometric information detecting device includes a measurer (or measuring device
respectively sensor) measuring biometric information of the user as an electrical
signal, a determiner (or determining device respectively processing device) connected
to the measurer to receive the electrical signal, processing the electrical signal
according to a first reference condition to output a first result signal, and processing
the electrical signal according to a second reference condition to output a second
result signal, a controller controlling the determiner such that the determiner is
operated in the first reference condition or the second reference condition, and a
processor processing the first and second result signals to obtain the biometric information
of the user.
[0025] According to the above, the measured signal is determined based on different reference
conditions from each other, and the determined results are synthesized to obtain the
biometric information of the user. Accordingly, a recognition rate of the biometric
information may be improved.
[0026] The display apparatus includes the sensing device built in or attached to the display
panel. In addition, the display apparatus may determine the signal sensed by the sensing
device on different reference conditions from each other and may synthesize the determined
results to obtain the biometric information. Thus, the recognition rate of the biometric
information may be improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The above and other advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent
by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a biometric information detecting device according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a biometric information detecting device according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing configurations of a measurer and a determiner
shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a user's fingerprint is
in a normal contact;
FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram showing a waveform of a signal input to an ADC in the
case of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a user's fingerprint is
in an abnormal contact;
FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram showing a waveform of the signal input to the ADC in
the case of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a view showing a digital output signal of the ADC in a first reference range
shown in FIG. 5 and a digital output signal of the ADC in a second reference range
shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a biometric information detecting
device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a biometric information detecting
device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a user's fingerprint is
in an abnormal contact;
FIG. 12 is a waveform diagram showing waveforms of input/output signals of a PGA operated
in a first reference condition;
FIG. 13 is a waveform diagram showing waveforms of input/output signals of a PGA operated
in a second reference condition;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a display apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the display apparatus of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a display apparatus according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the display apparatus of FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The present disclosure may be variously modified and realized in many different forms,
and thus specific embodiments will be exemplified in the drawings and described in
detail hereinbelow. However, the present disclosure should not be limited to the specific
disclosed forms and be construed to include various modifications, equivalents, or
replacements without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a biometric information detecting device 100 according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, the biometric information detecting device 100 according to
the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a sensing region SR in
which biometric information (
e.g., a biometric fingerprint FP) is sensed when a user inputs the biometric information
and a peripheral region NR surrounding the sensing region SR. In this case, the peripheral
region NR corresponds to an area in which a biometric fingerprint FP is not sensed.
For example, the peripheral region NR may be a region in which a frame member providing
an edge region of the biometric information detecting device 100 is disposed or a
region in which a driving circuit applying a driving signal to the sensing region
SR is disposed.
[0031] The biometric information detecting device 100 according to the present exemplary
embodiment may be, but not limited to, a fingerprint image sensing device that recognizes
a user's fingerprint as the biometric information. The biometric information detecting
device 100 may recognize an image corresponding to the fingerprint making contact
with the sensing region SR.
[0032] The sensing region SR may include sensing devices (not shown) arranged therein to
sense the fingerprint information. As an example of the present disclosure, the sensing
devices may include one of a light receiving device that receives a light, a pressure
device that senses a pressure, and a thermal device that senses temperature.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the biometric information detecting device 100
(refer to FIG. 1) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, the biometric information detecting device 100 (refer to FIG.
1) according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a measurer
10 (which also might be called measuring device or sensor), a determiner 20 (which
also might be called determining device or processing device), a controller 30, and
a processor 40.
[0035] The measurer 10 includes a plurality of sensing devices to measure the biometric
information FR. As an example of the present disclosure, the sensing devices may include
at least one of the light receiving device that receives the light, the pressure device
that senses the pressure, and the thermal device that senses the temperature. Accordingly,
a signal measured by the measurer 10 may include light intensity, pressure, and/or
temperature information. The measurer 10 converts the biometric information FR measured
by the above-mentioned sensing devices to an electrical signal ES and applies the
electrical signal ES to the determiner 20.
[0036] The determiner 20 is connected to the sensing devices included in the measurer 10
to receive the electrical signal ES including the biometric information FR. The determiner
20 outputs a first result signal RS1 obtained by processing the electrical signal
ES according to a first reference condition and a second result signal RS2 obtained
by processing the electrical signal ES according to a second reference condition.
[0037] The controller 30 controls an operation of the determiner 20. In detail, the controller
30 controls the determiner 20 to process the electrical signal ES on the first reference
condition and the second reference condition.
[0038] The processor 40 processes the electrical signal ES based on the first and second
result signals RS1 and RS2. The biometric information detecting device 100 may be,
but not limited to, a fingerprint image sensing device, and in this case, the processor
40 carries out an image processing process to generate a fingerprint image based on
the first and second result signals RS1 and RS2. The processor 40 may include a synthesizer
41 and an imagificator 42, which is also called imaging processor 42, see FIG. 2.
The synthesizer 41 synthesizes the first and second result signals RS1 and RS2 to
calculate a final result signal FRS.
[0039] The imagificator 42 may generate the biometric information as a fingerprint image
GI based on the final result signal FRS. Although not shown in figures, the biometric
information detecting device 100 compares the generated fingerprint image GI to a
pre-stored fingerprint image and determines whether the fingerprint image GI matches
the pre-stored fingerprint image to authenticate a user. For instance, when the fingerprint
image GI matches the pre-stored fingerprint image, an access of the user is allowed,
and when the fingerprint image GI does not match the pre-stored fingerprint image,
an access of the user is denied.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing configurations of the measurer 10 and the determiner
20 shown in FIG. 2.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, the measurer 10 includes first, second, and third switching
devices ST1, ST2, and ST3, a photodiode PD, and a capacitor Cap. The photodiode PD
corresponds to one of the above-mentioned sensing devices, and particularly, the photodiode
PD may be the light receiving device that receives the light incident thereto after
being reflected from a fingerprint of a user. However, instead of a photodiode PD
another sensing device may be used.
[0042] The first switching device ST1 is connected between an input terminal to which a
reset voltage Vreset is input and the photodiode PD. The first switching device ST1
may initialize an electric potential of a first node N1 at which the photodiode PD
and the first switching device ST1 are coupled to each other to the reset voltage
Vreset in response to a first switching signal SS1 during an initializing period.
The first switching device ST1 may be turned off after the initializing period.
[0043] The capacitor Cap is disposed between a ground voltage VSS and a second node N2,
and the second switching device ST2 is connected to the second node N2 and the first
node N1.
[0044] The second switching device ST2 is turned on in response to a second switching signal
SS2 during a sensing period. When the photodiode PD does not receive the light during
the sensing period, the first node N1 is maintained in the reset voltage Vreset, and
the capacitor Cap is charged with electric charges corresponding to a difference in
voltage between the ground voltage VSS and the reset voltage Vreset.
[0045] However, when the photodiode PD receives the light during the sensing period, the
photodiode PD is turned on, and the electric potential of the first node N1 is lowered
to near the ground voltage VSS. Thus, the electric charges charged in the capacitor
Cap may be discharged.
[0046] The third switching device ST3 is disposed between the second node N2 and an input
terminal of the determiner 20. When the third switching device ST3 is turned on in
response to a third switching signal SS3 during a readout period, current flows from
the second node N2 to the input terminal of the determiner 20. In this case, an amount
of the current flowing to the input terminal of the determiner 20 may be changed depending
on the reception of the light.
[0047] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determiner 20 includes
an amplifier 21 and an analog-to-digital converter (hereinafter, referred to as an
"ADC") 22. The amplifier 21 may amplify the electrical signal input to the determiner
20 and may be a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) as a representative example. In
case of an optical sensing method that recognizes a user's fingerprint with lights
reflected by a ridge and a valley of the user's fingerprint, there may be substantially
no difference between the electrical signals output from the measurer 10 since the
difference in amount between the light reflected by the ridge and the light reflected
by the valley can be very small. Accordingly, to recognize the difference between
the electrical signals, the PGA 21 that amplifies the electrical signals ES may be
included in the determiner 20. The PGA 21 amplifies the electrical signals ES and
outputs an amplified signal AS. The amplified signal AS may have a level that varies
depending on a gain of the PGA 21.
[0048] The ADC 22 converts the amplified signal AS in an analog form to a digital signal.
According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the ADC 22 receives
a first reference signal ref1 from the controller 30 to convert the amplified signal
AS to the digital signal on the first reference condition. In addition, the ADC 22
receives a second reference signal ref2 from the controller 30 to convert the amplified
signal AS to the digital signal on the second reference condition. That is, the ADC
22 may convert one input signal to the digital signal on two different conditions.
[0049] First, the ADC 22 converts the amplified signal AS to the digital signal on the first
reference condition and outputs the first result signal RS1, and then the ADC 22 converts
the amplified signal AS to the digital signal on the second reference condition and
outputs the second result signal RS2. That is, the ADC 22 may output two result signals
RS1 and RS2 with a time interval therebetween, with respect to one input signal.
[0050] In the present exemplary embodiment, the PGA 21 may be omitted from the determiner
20. In this case, for the convenience of explanation, the signal input to the ADC
22 will be referred to as the electrical signal ES instead of being referred to as
the amplified signal AS.
[0051] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a user's fingerprint is
in a normal contact, and FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram showing a waveform of a signal
input to an ADC in the case of FIG. 4.
[0052] Herein, the term "normal" may be used to represent a representative contact condition
in which the user's fingerprint is in a contact with the biometric information detecting
device 100. In this case, contact conditions other than the "normal" contact condition
may be described as "abnormal" contact conditions.
[0053] In some embodiments, the term "normal" may be used to represent that the user's fingerprint
is in contact with the biometric information detecting device in a direction that
is normal to a surface of the biometric information detecting device. In this case,
the contact conditions in a direction that is not normal to a surface of the biometric
information detecting device, for example, a fingerprint contacting surface of the
biometric information detecting device in an angle or while rolling on surface of
the biometric information detecting device, may be described as "abnormal" contact
conditions.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, when the user's fingerprint normally makes contact
with the biometric information detecting device 100, the difference in amount between
the light reflected by the ridge R of the fingerprint and the light reflected by the
valley V of the fingerprint may be clearly shown.
[0055] The controller 30 may widely set the first reference condition of the ADC 22 as a
first reference range RA1 defined between a first reference voltage Vref1 and a second
reference voltage Vref2. The first reference range RA1 is set based on the difference
in amount between the light measured at the ridge R and the light measured at the
valley V in a normal contact state, and data about the first reference range RA1 may
be previously set in the controller 30.
[0056] The controller 30 may apply the first reference voltage Vref1 and the second reference
voltage Vref2 to the ADC22 such that the ADC 22 converts the electrical signals ES
to the digital signals on the first reference condition.
[0057] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a user's fingerprint is
in an abnormal contact, and FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram showing a waveform of the
signal input to the ADC in the case of FIG. 6.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, in a case that the user makes an abnormal contact
with the biometric information detecting device 100, for example, with a dry finger,
for the recognition of the user's fingerprint, a contact area between the ridge R
of the fingerprint and the biometric information detecting device 100 may be reduced
compared to a case when the user's fingerprint normally makes contact with the biometric
information detecting device 100.
[0059] As described above, when the contact area between the ridge R of the fingerprint
and the biometric information detecting device 100 is reduced, the difference in amount
between the light reflected by the ridge R of the fingerprint and the light reflected
by the valley V of the fingerprint may not be clearly distinguished. When the electrical
signals ES measured from the dry finger are converted to the digital signal by the
ADC 22 set to the first reference range RA1 (refer to FIG. 5), the ridge R and the
valley V may be difficult to be distinguished from each other. That is, when the electrical
signals ES are converted to the digital signal by the ADC 22 set to the first reference
range RA1, the ridge R may be recognized as the valley V, or the valley V may be recognized
as the ridge R.
[0060] Accordingly, the controller 30 may narrowly set the second reference condition of
the ADC 22 to a second reference range RA2 defined between third and fourth reference
voltages Vref3 and Vref4. The second reference range RA2 is set based on the difference
in amount between the light measured at the ridge R and the light measured at the
valley V when the user's fingerprint is in an abnormal contact, and data about the
second reference range RA2 may be previously set in the controller 30.
[0061] As an example of the present disclosure, the third reference voltage Vref3 may be
equal to or smaller than the first reference voltage Vref1, and the fourth reference
voltage Vref4 may be greater than the second reference voltage Vref2. The voltage
levels of the third and fourth reference voltages Vref3 and Vref4 may be set appropriately
based on experimental data.
[0062] In the above descriptions, the dry finger has been described as an example of the
abnormal contact state, but the abnormal contact state should not be limited to the
dry finger. In addition, in a case that the cause of the abnormal contact state and
the resulting phenomenon are different from the abnormal contact state and the resulting
phenomenon due to the dry finger, the second reference condition may be set differently
from the above-mentioned condition.
[0063] FIG. 8 is a view showing a digital output signal of the ADC 22 in the first reference
range RA1 shown in FIG. 5 and a digital output signal of the ADC 22 in the second
reference range RA2 shown in FIG. 7.
[0064] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 8, in a case that the ADC 22 is an n-bit ADC that converts
the electrical signal ES in an analog form to an n-bit digital signal, the n-bit ADC
22 may convert the electrical signal ES to the n-bit digital signal. The n-bit ADC
22 may select one of 2
n digital signals as the output signal according to the voltage level of the electrical
signal ES.
[0065] In the case that the n-bit ADC 22 is operated on the first reference condition, the
first reference range RA1 may be divided into 2
n stage voltages SV1-1 to SV1-2
n by a resistor string in which 2
n-1 resistors R1 to R2
n-1 are connected to each other in series. The 2
n stage voltages SV1-1 to SV1-2
n may have n-bit digital signals.
[0066] Accordingly, in the case that the n-bit ADC 22 is operated on the first reference
condition, the n-bit ADC 22 selects one stage voltage corresponding to the electrical
signal ES among the 2
n stage voltages SV1-1 to SV1-2
n. Then, the n-bit ADC 22 outputs the n-bit digital signal corresponding to the selected
stage voltage as the first result signal RS1.
[0067] In the case that the n-bit ADC 22 is operated on the second reference condition,
the second reference range RA2 may be divided into 2
n stage voltages SV2-1 to SV2-2
n by a resistor string in which 2
n-1 resistors R1 to R2
n-1 are connected to each other in series. The 2
n stage voltages SV2-1 to SV2-2
n may have n-bit digital signals.
[0068] Accordingly, in the case that the n-bit ADC 22 is operated on the second reference
condition, the n-bit ADC 22 selects one stage voltage corresponding to the electrical
signal ES among the 2
n stage voltages SV2-1 to SV2-2
n. Then, the n-bit ADC 22 outputs the n-bit digital signal corresponding to the selected
stage voltage as the second result signal RS2.
[0069] The second reference range RA2 has a voltage range narrower than that of the first
reference range RA1, however, the second reference range RA2 is divided into the same
number (e.g., 2
n numbers) of stages as that of the first reference range RA1. Accordingly, a voltage
range of each section of the second reference range RA2 is narrower than a voltage
range of each section of the first reference range RA1, and thus it is advantageous
to convert the electrical signals ES by using the second reference range RA2 in a
case that the electrical signals ES, in which the difference in amount between the
light reflected by the valley and the light reflected by the ridge is relatively small,
are input to the n-bit ADC 22. Since the n-bit ADC 22 operated on the second reference
condition may distinguish the valley and the ridge from each other, an error rate
in which the ridge is recognized as the valley, or the valley is recognized as the
ridge, may be reduced in an abnormal contact state.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 2, the first result signal RS1 and the second result signal RS2
may be output from the ADC 22 of the determiner 20 with a time interval. In this case,
the processor 40 may further include a buffer (not shown) that temporarily stores
a result signal that is input first thereto between the first result signal RS1 and
the second result signal RS2.
[0071] The synthesizer 41 receives the first result signal RS1 and the second result signal
RS2 that are output from the ADC 22. As described above, in the case that the signal
that is input first is stored in the buffer, the synthesizer 41 may directly receive
one result signal of the first and second result signals RS1 and RS2 from the ADC
22 and receive the other result signal of the first and second result signals RS 1
and RS2 from the buffer.
[0072] The synthesizer 41 applies different weights to the first and second result signals
RS 1 and RS2 and sums the first and second result signals RS 1 and RS2 to generate
the final result signal. The weights respectively applied to the first and second
result signals RS1 and RS2 may be previously set and stored in a look-up table.
[0073] According to another embodiment, the synthesizer 41 may compare the first and second
result signals RS1 and RS2 to each other and select one of the first and second result
signals RS 1 and RS2 as the final result signal when the first and second result signals
RS 1 and RS2 are different from each other.
[0074] In the above descriptions, the ADC 22 is operated with a time interval on two reference
conditions, but the number of the reference conditions should not be limited to two.
That is, the ADC22 may convert the electrical signal ES to the digital signal on three
or more different reference conditions. However, when the number of the reference
conditions increases, a time of processing the electrical signal ES increases. Therefore,
the number of the reference conditions may be appropriately set in consideration of
the number of sensing devices, the processing time, etc.
[0075] In addition, the determiner 20 includes the one ADC 22 operated on the two reference
conditions in the present exemplary embodiment, but the number of the ADCs included
in the determiner 20 should not be limited to one. That is, a determiner 25 (refer
to FIG. 9) may include two ADCs 23 and 24 (refer to FIG. 9) respectively operated
on two reference conditions.
[0076] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a biometric information detecting
device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG.
9, the biometric information detecting device has the same configuration and function
as those of the biometric information detecting device shown in FIG. 3 except for
the determiner 25, and thus detailed descriptions of the same elements will be omitted.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 9, the determiner 25 of the biometric information detecting device
according to the exemplary embodiment includes a PGA 21, a first ADC 23, and a second
ADC 24.
[0078] The first ADC 23 receives the first reference signal ref1 from the controller 30
to convert the electrical signal ES to a digital signal on the first reference condition.
In addition, the second ADC 24 receives the second reference signal ref2 from the
controller 30 to convert the electrical signal ES to another digital signal on the
second reference condition. Here, the first and second reference conditions are substantially
similar to those described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8, and thus detailed descriptions
of the first and second reference conditions will be omitted to avoid redundancy.
[0079] The first ADC 23 converts the electrical signal ES to a first digital signal on the
first reference condition to output a first result signal RS1, and the second ADC
24 converts the electrical signal ES to a second digital signal on the second reference
condition to output a second result signal RS2. Input terminals of the first and second
ADCs 23 and 24 are commonly connected to a third node N3, and thus the first and second
ADCs 23 and 24 receive the same electrical signal ES. That is, the first and second
ADCs 23 and 24 convert the one input signal to the digital signal based on different
reference conditions from each other and output different result signals RS1 and RS2.
[0080] In the above descriptions, the determiner 25 includes two ADCs (i.e., first and second
ADCs 23 and 24) respectively operated on two different reference conditions from each
other, but the number of the reference conditions should not be limited to two. That
is, the determiner 25 may include three or more ADCs respectively operated on three
or more different reference conditions from each other. However, when the number of
the ADCs increases, the circuit of the biometric information detecting device becomes
complex and costly, and the number of components increases. Therefore, the number
of the ADCs may be appropriately set in consideration of the circuit configuration,
the cost, the number of components, etc.
[0081] In addition, different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, since the biometric information
detecting device shown in FIG. 9 includes the two ADCs 23 and 24 respectively operated
on different reference conditions from each other, the two ADCs 23 and 24 may be substantially
simultaneously operated. As a result, the processor 40 (refer to FIG. 2) does not
need to further include a buffer in the case of the biometric information detecting
device employing the determiner 25 shown in FIG. 9. That is, the synthesizer 41 (refer
to FIG. 2) may substantially simultaneously receive the first and second result signals
RS1 and RS2 that are respectively output from the two ADCs 23 and 24 and synthesize
the first and second result signals RS1 and RS2.
[0082] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a biometric information detecting
device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG.
10, the biometric information detecting device has the same configuration and function
as those of the biometric information detecting device shown in FIG. 3 except for
a determiner 28, and thus detailed descriptions of the same elements will be omitted.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 10, the determiner 28 of the biometric information detecting device
according to the exemplary embodiment includes a PGA 26 and an ADC 27. The PGA 26
receives and amplifies an electrical signal ES output from the measurer 10. In this
case, the controller 30 may control a gain of the PGA 26. In detail, the controller
30 controls the PGA 26 such that the PGA 26 is sequentially operated on a first reference
condition and a second reference condition. The controller 30 may set the gain of
the PGA 26 as a first value on the first reference condition and set the gain of the
PGA 26 as a second value on the second reference condition.
[0084] In the case that the gain of the PGA 26 has the first value, the electrical signal
ES is amplified to a first amplified signal AS1, and in the case that the gain of
the PGA 26 has the second value, the electrical signal ES is amplified to a second
amplified signal AS2.
[0085] The ADC 27 receives the first amplified signal AS1 in an analog form and converts
the first amplified signal AS1 to a first result signal RS1. When the second amplified
signal AS2 in an analog form is received, the ADC 27 converts the second amplified
signal AS2 to a second result signal RS2 in digital form. Here, the ADC 27 converts
the first and second amplified signals AS1 and AS2 to the first and second result
signals RS1 and RS2 in a respective digital signal on the same condition. That is,
the driving condition of the ADC 27 is not changed, and the gain of the PGA 26 is
changed to different values according to the above-mentioned two reference conditions.
[0086] Although not shown in figures, the first and second result signals RS1 and RS2 are
transmitted to the synthesizer 41 (refer to FIG. 2), and the synthesizer 41 synthesizes
the first and second result signals RS1 and RS2 to generate the final result signal
FRS (refer to FIG. 2).
[0087] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a user's fingerprint is
in an abnormal contact, FIG. 12 is a waveform diagram showing waveforms of input/output
signals of a PGA operated in a first reference condition, and FIG. 13 is a waveform
diagram showing waveforms of input/output signals of a PGA operated in a second reference
condition.
[0088] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 13, in the case that the user's fingerprint comes into contact
with the biometric information detecting device 100, for example, with a dry finger,
for the recognition of the user's fingerprint, the contact area between the ridge
R of the fingerprint and the biometric information detecting device 100 may be reduced
compared to a case when the user's fingerprint normally makes contact with the biometric
information detecting device 100. As described above, when the contact area between
the ridge R of the fingerprint and the biometric information detecting device 100
is reduced, the difference in amount between the light reflected by the ridge R of
the fingerprint and the light reflected by the valley V of the fingerprint may not
be clearly distinguished.
[0089] When an input signal input to a first input terminal of the PGA 26, a reference signal
input to a second input terminal of the PGA 26, and an output signal from the PGA
26 are respectively referred to as "Vin", "Vref", and "Vout", the output signal Vout
satisfies the following Equation.

wherein, "G" denotes the gain of the PGA 26.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 12, in a case of the first reference condition in which the gain
of the PGA 26 is set to "1", the input signal Vin may have the same value as that
of the output signal Vout. That is, among the electrical signals ES measured from
the dry finger on the first reference condition, the electrical signal measured from
the ridge R in an abnormal contact state is sometimes not recognized as the ridge
R. That is, when a signal in which the difference in amount between the light reflected
by the ridge R of the fingerprint and the light reflected by the valley V of the fingerprint
is not clearly distinguished is input to the ADC 27 and converted to the digital signal,
the ridge R may be recognized as the valley V, or the valley V may be recognized as
the ridge R.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 13, in a case of the second reference condition in which the gain
of the PGA 26 is set to "2", the output signal Vout may have a value that is amplified
more than the input signal Vin. That is, even though the signal in which the difference
in amount between the light reflected by the ridge R of the fingerprint and the light
reflected by the valley V of the fingerprint is not clearly distinguished is input
to the PGA 26, the PGA 26 amplifies the input signal Vin on the second reference condition,
and thus the output signal Vout in which the difference in amount between the light
reflected by the ridge R of the finger print and the light reflected by the valley
V of the fingerprint is clearly distinguished may be output.
[0092] In the above descriptions, the dry finger has been described as a representative
example of the abnormal contact state, but the abnormal contact state may include
various cases without being limited to the dry finger. In a case that the cause of
the abnormal contact state and the resulting phenomenon are different from the abnormal
contact state and the resulting phenomenon due to a dry finger, the second reference
condition may be set differently from the above-mentioned condition.
[0093] In the above descriptions, the biometric information detecting device according to
the present disclosure has been described by taking an optical sensing method as an
example. However, the biometric information detecting device according to the present
disclosure may be applied to an ultrasonic sensing method, a pressure sensing method,
a thermal sensing method, and the like.
[0094] For instance, in the case of the ultrasonic sensing method, the abnormal contact
state (i.e., the difference between the electrical signal measured at the ridge and
the electrical signal measured at the valley V is not clearly distinguished) may occur
by a wet finger. In this case, similarly, the determiner of the biometric information
detecting device according to the present disclosure may determine whether the electrical
signal corresponds to the ridge or the valley using the two or more different reference
conditions from each other and synthesize the determined results to recognize the
ridge or the valley. Accordingly, when the electrical signal is determined on two
or more reference conditions as the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
the ridge and the valley may be clearly distinguished from each other even in an abnormal
contact state when compared to a case in which the electrical signal is determined
on one reference condition.
[0095] Hereinafter, embodiments of the display apparatus employing the biometric information
detecting device will be described.
[0096] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a display apparatus 1000 according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing
the display apparatus of FIG. 14.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 14, the display apparatus 1000 includes a display surface IS in
which a display area DA in which an image IM is displayed, and a non-display area
NDA disposed adjacent to the display area DA are defined. The display area DA includes
a plurality of pixels (not shown) arranged therein. The non-display area NDA is an
area through which no image is displayed. The display surface IS of the display apparatus
1000 may be an upper surface disposed at an outermost position of the display apparatus
1000 and may be a surface at which a user is looking. In FIG. 14, the display area
DA may have a quadrangular shape, and the non-display area NDA has a shape surrounding
the display area DA. However, the shapes of the display area DA and the non-display
area NDA should not be limited thereto or thereby, and the display area DA and the
non-display area NDA may have various shapes and configurations.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 14, the display surface IS through which the image IM is displayed
is substantially parallel to a surface defined by a first direction DR1 and a second
direction DR2. A third direction DR3 indicates a normal direction of the display surface
IS, i.e., a thickness direction of the display apparatus 1000. A front surface (or
an upper surface) and a rear surface (or a lower surface) of each member of the display
apparatus 1000 are distinguished from each other by the third direction DR3. However,
directions indicated by the first, second, and third directions DR1, DR2, and DR3
are relative to each other, and the first, second, and third directions DR1, DR2,
and DR3 may be changed to other directions.
[0099] The display apparatus 1000 may sense a user's touch input to the display area DA.
The display apparatus 1000 may include a touch sensing module (not shown) that senses
the user's touch input to the display area DA.
[0100] A sensing area that recognizes the biometric information of the user may be defined
in the display surface IS of the display apparatus 1000. As an example of the present
disclosure, an entire area of the display area DA may serve as the sensing area, and
as another example, only a portion of the display area DA may serve as the sensing
area.
[0101] FIG. 14 shows the example in which the entire area of the display area DA serves
as the sensing area.
[0102] The display apparatus 1000 senses the user's fingerprint or a user's heart rate through
the sensing area by a minute movement of the user's finger to measure the biometric
information of the user. As a method of acquiring the biometric information through
the sensing area, various methods, such as the optical sensing method, the ultrasonic
sensing method, the pressure sensing method, the thermal sensing method, etc., may
be used.
[0103] Hereinafter, the display apparatus 1000 that senses the user's fingerprint using
the optical sensing method will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 15.
[0104] Referring to FIG. 15, the display apparatus 1000 includes a display panel DP displaying
an image and a biometric information detecting device FS disposed under (or on) the
display panel DP to detect the biometric information of the user.
[0105] The display panel DP may be a light emitting type display panel. For instance, the
display panel DP may be an organic light emitting display panel or a quantum dot light
emitting display panel. A light emitting layer of the organic light emitting display
panel includes an organic light emitting material. A light emitting layer of the quantum
dot light emitting display panel includes a quantum dot and a quantum rod. Hereinafter,
the organic light emitting display panel will be described as an example of the display
panel DP.
[0106] The display panel DP includes a display substrate 200, a driving layer 300, a display
element layer 400, and an encapsulation layer 500. Although not shown separately,
the display panel DP may further include a protective member disposed under (or on)
the display substrate 200 and a window member disposed on (or under) the encapsulation
layer 500. In addition, the display panel DP may further include one or more functional
layers, such as an anti-reflection layer, a refractive control layer, etc.
[0107] The display substrate 200 may include at least one plastic film. The display substrate
200 may be a flexible substrate including a plastic substrate, a glass substrate,
a metal substrate, or a substrate made of an organic/inorganic composite material.
The display area DA and the non-display area NDA described with reference to FIG.
14 may be equally applied to the display substrate 200.
[0108] The driving layer 300 is disposed on the display substrate 200. The driving layer
300 includes at least one intermediate insulating layer and a circuit device. The
intermediate insulating layer may include at least one intermediate inorganic layer
and at least one intermediate organic layer. The circuit device includes signal lines,
a driving circuit that drives the signal lines, and another driving circuit that drives
display elements included in the display element layer 400.
[0109] The display element layer 400 is disposed on the driving layer 300. The display element
layer 400 includes a plurality of display elements. In the exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure, the display element may be, but not limited to, an organic
light emitting diode. The display element layer 400 may further include an organic
layer such as a pixel definition layer.
[0110] The encapsulation layer 500 encapsulates the display element layer 400. The encapsulation
layer 500 includes at least one inorganic layer (hereinafter, referred to as an "encapsulation
inorganic layer"). The encapsulation layer 500 may further include at least one organic
layer (hereinafter, referred to as an "encapsulation organic layer"). The encapsulation
inorganic layer protects the display element layer 400 from moisture and oxygen, and
the encapsulation organic layer protect the display element layer 400 from foreign
substances such as dust particles. The encapsulation inorganic layer may include a
silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer/a silicon oxide layer, a titanium
oxide layer, or an aluminum oxide layer. The encapsulation organic layer may include
an acryl-based organic layer, but it should not be limited thereto or thereby.
[0111] The display panel DP may further include a touch sensing module TS disposed on the
encapsulation layer 500. The touch sensing module TS obtains coordinate information
of an external input. The touch sensing module TS may be directly disposed on the
encapsulation layer 500. In the present disclosure, the term "directly disposed" means
that two or more layers are formed through consecutive processes except that the layers
are attached to each other using a separate adhesive layer, but it should not be limited
thereto or thereby. The touch sensing module TS may be attached onto the encapsulation
layer 500 by an adhesive as a separate independent module.
[0112] The biometric information detecting device FS includes a substrate 110, a sensing
layer 120 disposed on the substrate 110, and a cover layer 130 covering the sensing
layer 120. The substrate 110 may include a plastic film. The substrate 110 may be
attached and fixed to a lower surface of the display substrate 200 of the display
panel DP.
[0113] The sensing layer 120 may include a plurality of sensing devices arranged on the
substrate 110. The sensing devices may include devices that sense a user's fingerprint
or heart rate by the minute movement of the user's finger to measure the biometric
information of the user. As an example of the present disclosure, the sensing device
may include one of an optical sensing device, a pressure sensing device, and a thermal
sensing device.
[0114] FIG. 15 shows a structure in which the sensing device includes the optical sensing
device, and the sensing device may be a fingerprint sensor that receives the light
reflected by the user's finger to sense the fingerprint.
[0115] When the display panel DP is operated, a light including image information is output
from the light emitting layer of the display panel DP, and the output light is displayed
as the image after passing through the display surface. When the user's finger makes
contact with the display surface, the light is reflected by the user's finger and
provided to the biometric information detecting device FS disposed under (or on) the
display panel DP. In this case, the sensing device senses the reflected light, and
sensed information is generated as a fingerprint image by the processes described
with reference to FIGS. 2 to 13.
[0116] The cover layer 130 includes an insulating material to cover the sensing layer 120
and includes a protective layer to protect the sensing device. As an example of the
present disclosure, the protective layer includes a silicon nitride material or a
silicon oxide material.
[0117] The cover layer 130 may further include a collimator layer that filters the light
to allow the sensing device to receive only the light reflected by the user's finger.
The collimator layer may have a structure in which a plurality of openings or slits
is formed. As an example, the openings or the slits may be formed to pass only the
light having a wavelength equal to or smaller than about 600nm among light incident
thereto. Accordingly, the cover layer 130 may prevent the light other than the light
reflected by the user's finger from being incident thereto.
[0118] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a display apparatus according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the display
apparatus of FIG. 16. In FIG. 16, the same reference numerals denote the same elements
in FIG. 14, and thus detailed descriptions of the same elements will be omitted.
[0119] Referring to FIG. 16, a sensing area FPA may be further defined in the display surface
IS of a display apparatus 1100. The display apparatus 1100 may sense a user's input
by sensing the light incident to the sensing area FPA. The sensing area FPA may sense
the user's fingerprint or may measure the heart rate of the user by the minute movement
of the user's finger. The display apparatus 1100 may include a sensing pixel HX (refer
to FIG. 17) disposed in the sensing area FPA.
[0120] In FIG. 16, the sensing area FPA is defined in the display area DA, but it should
not be limited thereto or thereby. The sensing area FPA may be defined in the non-display
area NDA or defined to overlap with both the display area DA and the non-display area
NDA.
[0121] Referring to FIG. 17, the display apparatus 1100 may include a display panel DP,
a first driving circuit chip DIC, and a second driving chip PIC.
[0122] The display area DA may include the sensing area FPA and a normal display area RDA
spaced apart from the sensing area FPA. The normal display area RDA may also be called
a non-sensing area RDA. The sensing area FPA and the normal display area (non-sensing
area) RDA may have different circuit configurations from each other. For example,
the non-sensing area RDA may be provided without a biometric information detecting
device.
[0123] The display panel DP may include a display pixel PX, a sensing pixel HX, a plurality
of signal lines, and a scan driving circuit GDC. The display pixel PX may be disposed
in the display area DA to display an image. The sensing pixel HX is disposed in the
sensing area FPA and receives the light reflected by the user to sense the user's
input.
[0124] The signal lines include a scan line SL, a data line DL, a power line PL, and a sensing
line RX. Each of the scan line SL, the data line DL, and the power line PL is provided
in a plural number, however FIG. 17 shows one scan line SL, one data line DL, and
one power line PL as a representative example.
[0125] The scan line SL, the data line DL, and the power line PL are connected to the display
pixel PX. The data line DL and the power line PL are connected to the first driving
circuit chip DIC to receive a driving signal.
[0126] The sensing pixel HX may be connected to the sensing line RX. The sensing pixel HX
may be connected to the scan line SL and the power line PL to which a corresponding
display pixel is connected. The sensing line RX may be connected to the second driving
circuit chip PIC.
[0127] The scan driving circuit GDC may be disposed in the non-display area NDA. The scan
driving circuit GDC may generate a scan signal and output the generated scan signal
to the scan line SL.
[0128] The scan driving circuit GDC may be formed through the same process as that applied
to the driving circuit of the display pixels PX, for example, a low temperature polycrystalline
silicon (LTPS) process, a low temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) process, etc.
[0129] The first driving circuit chip DIC may be disposed in a first pad area PDA1. The
first driving circuit chip DIC may be directly mounted in the first pad area PDA1,
but it should not be limited thereto or thereby. That is, the first driving circuit
chip DIC may be mounted on a flexible printed circuit board (not shown) connected
to the first pad area PDA1. The first driving circuit chip DIC provides signals to
drive the display panel DP. That is, the first driving circuit chip DIC may provide
the signals to the data line DL and the power line PL. The first driving circuit chip
DIC may be, but not limited to, a source driver integrated circuit that applies a
data signal to the data line DL.
[0130] The second driving circuit chip PIC may be disposed in a second pad area PDA2. The
second driving circuit chip PIC may be directly mounted in the second pad area PDA2,
but it should not be limited thereto or thereby. That is, the second driving circuit
chip PIC may be mounted on a flexible printed circuit board (not shown) connected
to the second pad area PDA2. The second driving circuit chip PIC receives the signal
sensed by the sensing pixel HX through the sensing line RX and senses the user's input
based on the received signal.
[0131] The second driving circuit chip PIC may include at least one component among the
determiners 20, 25, and 28, the controller 30, and the processor 40 shown in FIGS.
2 to 10. In addition, the second driving circuit chip PIC may receive a switching
signal and a voltage signal that drive the sensing pixel HX and provide the switching
signal and the voltage signal to the sensing pixel HX through the sensing line RX.
[0132] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described,
it is understood that the present disclosure should not be limited to these exemplary
embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made by one ordinary skilled
in the art within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0133] Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment
described herein, and the scope of the present disclosure shall be determined according
to the attached claims.
1. A biometric information detecting device (100, FS) comprising:
a measurer (10) measuring biometric information (FR) of a user as an electrical signal
(ES);
a determiner (20, 25, 28) connected to the measurer (10) to receive the electrical
signal (ES), processing the electrical signal (ES) according to a first reference
condition to output a first result signal (RS1), and processing the electrical signal
(ES) according to a second reference condition to output a second result signal (RS2);
a controller (30) controlling the determiner (20, 25, 28) such that the determiner
(20, 25, 28) is operated in the first reference condition or the second reference
condition; and
a processor (40) processing the first and second result signals (RS1, RS2) to obtain
the biometric information (FR) of the user.
2. The biometric information detecting device (100, FS) of claim 1, wherein the determiner
(20, 25, 28) comprises an analog-to-digital converter (22, 23, 24, 27) that converts
the electrical signal (ES) in an analog form to a digital signal based on a predetermined
reference range.
3. The biometric information detecting device (100, FS) of claim 2, wherein the analog-to-digital
converter (22, 23, 24, 27) converts the electrical signal (ES) to the first result
signal (RS1) in a digital form based on a first predetermined reference range (RA1)
when the analog-to-digital converter (22, 23, 24, 27) is operated in the first reference
condition and converts the electrical signal (ES) to the second result signal (RS2)
in a digital form based on a second predetermined reference range (RA2) when the analog-to-digital
converter (22, 23, 24, 27) is operated in the second reference condition.
4. The biometric information detecting device (100, FS) of claim 3, wherein the controller
(30) outputs a first reference signal (refl) to the analog-to-digital converter (22,
23, 24, 27) to set the reference range of the analog-to-digital converter (22, 23,
24, 27) to the first reference range (RA1) and outputs a second reference signal (ref2)
to the analog-to-digital converter (22, 23, 24, 27) to set the reference range of
the analog-to-digital converter (22, 23, 24, 27) to the second reference range (RA2).
5. The biometric information detecting device (100, FS) of claim 3 or 4, wherein the
first reference range (RA1) is defined between a first reference voltage (Vref1) and
a second reference voltage (Vref2), the second reference range (RA2) is defined between
a third reference voltage (Vref3) and a fourth reference voltage (Vref4), and the
second reference range (RA2) is included in the first reference range.
6. The biometric information detecting device (100, FS) of at least one of claims 2 to
5, wherein the analog-to-digital converter (22, 23, 24, 27) comprises:
a first analog-to-digital converter (23) operated in the first reference condition
to convert the electrical signal (ES) to the first result signal (RS1) in the digital
form according to a first predetermined reference range (RA1); and
a second analog-to-digital converter (24) operated in the second reference condition
to convert the electrical signal (ES) to the second result signal (RS2) in the digital
form according to a second predetermined reference range (RA2).
7. The biometric information detecting device (100, FS) of claim 6, wherein the controller
(30) outputs a first reference signal (refl) to the first analog-to-digital converter
(23) to allow the first analog-to-digital converter (23) to be operated in the first
reference condition and outputs a second reference signal (ref2) to the second analog-to-digital
converter (24) to allow the second analog-to-digital converter (24) to be operated
in the second reference condition.
8. The biometric information detecting device (100, FS) of at least one of claims 2 to
7, wherein the determiner (20, 25, 28) further comprises an amplifier (21, 26) that
amplifies the electrical signal (ES) output from the measurer (10) to output an amplified
signal (AS, AS 1, AS2).
9. The biometric information detecting device (100, FS) of claim 8, wherein the amplifier
(21, 26) amplifies the electrical signal (ES) according to a first predetermined gain
when operated in the first reference condition to output a first amplified signal
(AS1) and amplifies the electrical signal (ES) according to a second predetermined
gain when operated in the second reference condition to output a second amplified
signal (AS2).
10. The biometric information detecting device (100, FS) of claim 9, wherein the analog-to-digital
converter (22, 23, 24, 27) converts the first amplified signal (AS1) to the first
result signal (RS1) in a digital form according to the reference range on the first
reference condition and converts the second amplified signal (AS2) to the second result
signal (RS2) in a digital form according to the reference range on the second reference
condition.
11. The biometric information detecting device (100, FS) of at least one of claims 1 to
10, wherein the processor (40) comprises:
a synthesizer (41) synthesizing the first result signal (RS1) and the second result
signal (RS2) to output a final result signal (FRS); and
an imaging processor (42) processing the final result signal (FRS) to obtain the biometric
information (FR) of the user.
12. A display apparatus (1000, 1100) comprising:
a display panel (DP) displaying an image (IM); and
a biometric information detecting device (100, FS) according to at least one of claims
1 to 11 recognizing biometric information (FR) of a user that is input through the
display panel (DP).
13. The display apparatus (1000, 1100) of claim 12, wherein the display panel (DP) comprises
a display area (DA) in which the image (IM) is displayed and a non-display area (NDA)
disposed adjacent to the display area (DA), and the display area (DA) and/or the non-display
area (NDA) comprises a sensing area (FPA) that senses the biometric information (FR)
of the user using a light incident thereto.
14. The display apparatus (1000, 1100) of claim 13, wherein the display area (DA) comprises
a non-sensing area (RDA) and the sensing area (FPA) spaced apart from the non-sensing
area (RDA).
15. The display apparatus (1000, 1100) of claim 13 or 14, wherein the display panel (DP)
comprises:
a display pixel (PX) disposed in the display area (DA), especially in the non-sensing
area (RDA), and comprising a light emitting layer to output a light; and
a sensing pixel (HX) disposed in the sensing area (FPA) to receive the light output
from the light emitting layer and reflected by the user's finger as the biometric
information (FR).